Lone Wolf Goes to School

Starred review from July 1, 2024
This anti-social lupine just wants to be alone. Wolf--the sole animal in class 2B--growls at the children until they all huddle at the far end of the room. Mrs. Horsefly asks him to leave, so he visits an empty cinema. Another moviegoer arrives, so Wolf tries unsuccessfully to get rid of him, then heads for the shore. Happily, the beach is deserted, but, breaking open a bag of chips, he's set upon by voracious seagulls, which eat his snack as he chases them. After laboring up a mountain, Wolf is briefly alone--until he's joined by a clueless hiker intent on photographing Wolf. Wolf devises a plan: He invites everyone he's encountered to a party at his house. They all arrive: kids, teacher, seagulls, movie theater patron, hiker. Just as Wolf had imagined, "It was horrible." But absconding to the now-vacant theater, beach, mountain, and classroom, Wolf is "finally...alone." Originality, mordant humor, copious, detailed color drawings, and a resolutely understated text make this tale a winner. A confirmed introvert, consistently ornery and ultimately unreformed, Wolf is a refreshing character who even becomes sort of admirable in his grumpy single-mindedness. Expressive cartoon art depicts him as doglike, though not cuddly; still, Wolf won't scare readers, who are more likely to hope for a stuffie version. Human characters are diverse. A charmer that's sure to garner its protagonist a devoted following--much to his chagrin. (Early reader. 6-9)

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November 1, 2024
Grades 1-3 In this hilarious early-reader series about a reclusive gray wolf who prefers silence and solitude, Wolf is desperate to find places where he can be alone. He tries the classroom, the movie theater, the beach, the mountains, even his own home, but to his dismay, no matter where he goes, he's never alone--and so he hatches the ultimate silly plan. The funny yet frustratingly friendly characters who Wolf meets along the way are sure to keep early readers engaged with the plot, as are the silly expressions and exaggerated movements supplied by Steele in her whimsically loose-lined, watercolor illustrations, adding to the comic effect. A humorous story featuring an antisocial yet charming protagonist who simply wants some alone time, this book will encourage children to think outside the box while also reassuring more-introverted readers that there is no shame in having quiet time to themselves.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2024

K-Gr 4-Lone Wolf is the zaniest animal protagonist since Grumpy Monkey. Whether being pestered by classmates or trying to win a best pet contest, Wolf, as the title implies, just wants to be left alone. Steele's illustrations are delirious, deranged, and delightful. Scenes are full of unexpected detail. For instance, in one story, Wolf watches a movie about a hen riding a horse. Some illustrations are spread across two full pages while others punctuate little spots of action. Familiar faces reappear across both books. A particularly clever illustration features a young man whose happy face is distorted by the water as he gazes at a goldfish. The books have a unique theme: Wolf wants to be alone. He never learns a lesson about the joy of being with others. He remains alone and happy in solitude. VERDICT Ironically, these stories are so fresh and funny they must be shared.

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